2011 Toyota Corolla vs. 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze replaces the Chevrolet Cobalt with a larger, more powerful and more refined vehicle that promises to be a more formidable competitor for Toyota’s venerable Corolla. While the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is all-new to the U.S. market, General Motors has actually been selling the car in markets such as Asia, Europe and Africa since 2009.
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EXCEPTIONAL VALUE

At a time when every dollar counts, Corolla delivers—at the point of purchase and over the long haul.
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Lower cost at purchase
Corolla LE’s MSRP1 runs about $800 less than that of the Cruze 1LT, putting real money in the customer’s pocket.

Lower cost down the road
IntelliChoice2 named the 2010 Corolla LE its SmartChoice Ownership Costs award winner in the compact-car class. Cruze is an all-new model, so long term ownership costs are unknown.

EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE

Better power-to-weight ratio
Cruze’s slight edge in horsepower is more than offset by Corolla’s lower curb weight, a key contributor to a vehicle’s performance.

Lower city mpg
Corolla has the higher EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating3 in city driving, which could save money on gasoline, depending on the customer’s driving habits.

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PASSENGERS PAMPERED

Corolla drivers and passengers will appreciate its well-designed interior and generous slate of comfort and convenience features.
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Ample interior room
Cruze is bigger on the outside, but Corolla still has the advantage in several key measurements on the inside. That contributes to passenger comfort in both the front and rear seats.

More select features
Corolla LE’s features list goes beyond that of Cruze 1LT on several fronts, such as standard cruise control (available as an extra-cost option on Cruze 1LT) and available power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade (not available on Cruze 1LT).

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SAFETY COMMITMENT

Corolla’s full complement of safety technologies — Smart Stop Technology and all those included in the Star Safety System— as well as its highest rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)4 translate into peace of mind for Corolla customers.
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Standard Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
These features aren’t available on Cruze, even as extra-cost options.

An IIHS “Top Safety Pick”
Based on its independent crash tests, the IIHS named the 2011 Corolla a “Top Safety Pick,” the agency’s highest honor.

The all-new Cruze is offered in five grades. The entry-level 2LS is powered by a normally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine while all other models get the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder. Both power plants generate comparable horsepower, but the turbo makes 25 lb.-ft. more torque at a low 1,850 rpm. Also of note: the ECO model comes fitted with body panels that, among other features, contribute to the top EPA fuel economy rating in the Cruze line.

Lower cost at purchase
Both models come well equipped in standard configuration, including automatic transmission. But Corolla LE’s many comfort and convenience features are offered at a lower MSRP than Cruze 1LT. That means real money in the customer’s pocket at the time of purchase.

Corolla LE

Cruze 1LT

Advantage

MSRP

$18,060

$18,895

$835

Lower cost down the road
IntelliChoice named the 2010 Corolla LE its SmartChoice Ownership Costs award winner in the compact-car class. Cruze is an all-new vehicle, so it’s ownership costs have yet to be determined. But this much is certain: With Corolla, Cruze has one tough act to beat.

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Better power-to-weight ratio
Cruze’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces slightly more horsepower than Corolla’s normally aspirated power plant. But that edge is more than offset by Cruze’s higher curb weight. That’s a key measure of a vehicle’s overall performance.

Corolla LE

Cruze 1LT

Advantage

Horsepower @ rpm

132@6000

138@4900

—

Curb weight (lbs.)

2800

3102

302

Power-to-weight ratio

21.2:1

22.5:1

1.3:1

Lower city mpg
Corolla also offsets Cruze’s slight horsepower advantage with a higher EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating in city driving when both models are equipped with automatic transmission. This creates the potential to save money on gasoline, depending on the customer’s driving habits.

Corolla LE

Cruze 1LT

Advantage

EPA estimated city fuel economy (mpg)

26

24

2

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Ample interior room
While Cruze is slightly bigger on the outside, Corolla still has the advantage in several key measurements on the inside. This contributes directly to passenger comfort.

Corolla LE

Cruze 1LT

Advantage

Length

180.0

181.0

—

Width

69.4

70.7

—

Legroom, rear (in.)

36.3

35.4

0.9

Shoulder room, rear (in.)

54.6

53.9

0.7

More select features
Even with a lower MSRP, Corolla LE’s features list still goes beyond that of Cruze 1LT on several fronts. This includes cruise control, a feature many buyers might assume is standard. But on Cruze 1LT, it’s available only as part of a Connectivity Plus Cruise Control Package that carries an MSRP of $525.

Corolla LE

Cruze 1LT

Heavy-duty heater

Standard

Not available

Heated rearview

Standard

Not available

Cruise control

Standard

Available

Power tilt/slide moonroof

Available

Not available

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Corolla boasts a generous complement of safety technologies as standard equipment. For 2011, this includes Safe Stop Technology. Some of these features aren’t available on Cruze, even as extra-cost options.

Corolla LE

Cruze 1LT

Anti-lock brake system

Standard

Standard

Stability control

Standard

Standard

Traction control

Standard

Standard

Electronic brakeforce distribution

Standard

Not available

Brake assist

Standard

Not available

Customers will have even greater peace of mind knowing that the 2010 Corolla was
named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based on the agency’s independent crash tests. This is the IIHS’ highest honor.

As a Toyota dealer it is always important to understand where you or your competition have an edge over one another. Toyota provides some great material for dealerships, and we want to share the wealth of knowledge. We will be providing information for our customers to learn about different vehicles. If you have questions about any specific vehicle comparisons, please let us know – and if it is available, we will get it posted for you here!